Java Blend Coffee is very excited to announce a spectacular new coffee in our lineup, Ethiopia Amaro Gayo. This amazing coffee comes from the almost unknown coffee growing region of Amaro, grown within the boundaries of the Nechisar National Park. Asnakech Thomas is the producer of this coffee and happens to also be the only female grower-miller-exporter in all of Ethiopia. She earns more than Fair Trade prices for her coffee. Her commitment to quality is apparent through improvements at her mill and the picking of only ripe coffee cherries at harvest. This coffee is what is known as Natural Processed, coffee seeds (beans) dry with the fruit (cherry) on them only to be milled off when drying is complete. Good naturally processed coffees are fruity, heavy, and sweet and Amaro Gayo is all that and more. Enjoy!

Asnakech Thomas

We have received a limited quantity of the Panama Hacienda Esmeralda Special auction lot Colga!

Panama Esmeralda has been the most celebrated coffee in the professional coffee world for the past several years. Unlike some other “gimmick” coffees where high prices are paid for an undeserved hype this coffee delivers what is promised.

This coffee is a Geisha varietal which gives it its’ characteristic long thin bean shape and delicate floral flavour profile. The yield from a Geisha tree is lower than other varietals, but it thrives where other trees can not; at high elevation exposed to harsh winds.  Much like a a great Pinot Noir the torturous growing conditions seem to help develop amazing flavour, depth and complexity.  This coffee is truly one of the marvels of nature, discovered serendipitously by the Peterson family (owners of the Esmeralda farm in Panama) when they allowed a low yielding coffee tree to grow and thrive where other coffee trees struggled to survive.   For more information on this amazing coffee visit http://www.haciendaesmeralda.com

We will be roasting this coffee in October and our pre-order sheet is filling up quickly.  If you want to reserve your 1/2 or whole pound come by our shop or give us a call.  All of the Esmeralda will be roasted, nitrogen flushed and sealed to order.

FTO Guatemala Huehue helps me get through a wet dreary Monday morning. Sweet cherry and chocolate in the cup.

Yiannis Taloumis, pulling shots in lab.

During my recent vacation to Greece,, I had the opportunity to visit with Giannis Taloumis and the crew at Taf Coffee. In past visits to the birthplace of my parents I was used to seeing two types of coffee operations; the large corperate Greek coffee roasters packaged and sold everywhere, as well as the very small corner shop roaster with a 50 year old 5kg roaster with a few low grade Brazil sacks in the background. It was therefore very refreshing to spend time with Taloumis, a very passionate entrepenuer who is very quickly becoming a leader in quality cofee in Greece. In a country obsessed with iced instant Frappe drinks it was very refreshing to find a roaster, importing fine coffees such as Java Nica, Dattera and Hacienda Esmeralda. Taf also sponsors cupping competitions as well as the Greek Barista championships, where their own Stefanos Domatiotis took second place this year. I also visited the brand new Taf Cafe in the heart of Athens. Thank you Gianni and Elias for the amazing hospitality and continue with the fine work.

Stefanos pulling shots at Cafe Taf

Elias Taloumis, Roast Master, Taf Coffee

Cafe Taf, Athens Greece

Coffee selection at Taf